Linda Holmes (Evvie Drake Starts Over; Flying Solo) explores the world of podcasting in her charming romantic comedy Back After This. Cecily Foster, who has been producing podcasts for years, finally gets to escape from behind the scenes to be a host of a podcast about dating. Her boss pairs Cecily up with Eliza, a "dating coach, life coach, influencer, whatever," and the podcast follows along as Eliza sets Cecily up on dates with 20 different men.
The problem is, just as the show is beginning production, Cecily meets a man named Will as he is chasing a runaway dog. Will is funny and attractive, and he and Cecily hit it off. And then, when Cecily goes on her first date for the podcast, the server at the restaurant is Will. Cecily is appalled that she can't take her eyes off him. "Stop gazing, I told myself, while still doing it." But she's worried that the podcast's production company will fold if she messes up the show, so Cecily forces herself to forget about Will as she goes on the 20 dates. Among her dating partners are Maxim the adjunct professor, Rafael the print journalist, and three different Michaels, including a doctor and an architect who snores at the symphony.
Clever and amusing, Back After This is perfect for podcast fans and anyone who has ever felt stuck at work or in a relationship. As Cecily's dating journey continues, she muses about the choices she has made in life and love, which leads her to some personal revelations that readers are sure to find relatable. --Jessica Howard, former bookseller, freelance book reviewer